Method of introducing a flavoring ingredient into a frozen comestible



Feb 13, 1940 A. M. ALEXANDER 2,190,226 VMFI'I''OD OF INTRODUCING A FLAVORING INGREDIENT INT0 A FROZEN COMESTIBLE Filed June 1l, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 13, 1940 UNITED slAflESJ METHOD or rNTaonoclNG A FLAvoalNG mGaEnmN'r m'ro A FROZEN conna- Armstead M. Alexander, Independence, Mo. Application .inne 11, 1937, serial No. 147,656

9 claims,

This invention relates to a method of and' apparatus for introducing a navoring ingredient into a partially frozen comestible, such as icecream, and particularly vthe introduction of chocolate and similar materials capable of maintaining visual identity when dispersed in the cream.

The principal object of the invention is to introduce the iiavoring particles so that they are carried by the frozen c ream as a vehicle and out of contact with parts of the apparatus until they have assumed substantially the temperature of the vehicle before dispersing the particles uniformly throughout the body of cream with which they have-been held in contact.

Other important objects of the invention are to etl'ect introduction ofv iiavoring such as chocolate, in melted form directly onto a continuously moving stream of partially frozen cream to eifect solidication and shattering thereof into solid particles incidental to shock brought about by contact with the frozen cream; to maintain the chocolate or the like insole contact with the frozen cream until the shattering has been completely eifected and then to uniformly distribute the shattered particles throughout the body of the frozen cream so that they retain their original shape; to eect feed of chocolate and like material onto, and/or lbetween continuously moving streams of ice-'cream as they are discharged from continuous process freezers; and to eifect dispersion of the shattered particles withoiit destroying the original texture of the frozen cream.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details in method and struc-' l ture, as illustrated in the accompanying drawfled avoring particles throughout the body thereof. I f

'Fig 2 is a cross-section on the .line 2--2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective sectionof a modified form of apparatus. y

Fig. 4 is a sectional perspective through' a further modiiied form of the invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further modification of the invention.

Figf is a` detail perspective view. `partly in section, of the frozen cream inlet nozzle employed in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. '1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating thev principle of the present invention, wherein streams of melted chocolate are discharged onto a stream of moving cream to eiect congealing and shattering thereof into individual particles.

Fig.- 8 is a diagrammatic section through a body of the cream showing dispersion of the particles.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates one form of apparatus for practicing my improved method of introducing chocolate, or similar material capable of maintain- 15 ing its visual identity, into A.continuously moving streams of frozen comestibles, such as ice-cream. The apparatus includes a housing or vessel 2, having converging ducts 3 and 4 leading to a mixing chamber 5. 'I'he ducts`3 and 4 are con- ,o nected with' continuous process` freezers (not shown), from which streams of cream 6 and 'I are discharged under pressure for flow there# through for union and subsequent mixture in the chamber 5.V The ducts 3 and 4 are preferably of rectangular cross-section so that the streams of frozen cream are carried into the mixing chamber 5 in substantially iiat, ribbon like formation.

Locatedvat the converging point of the ducts .of 3 and -4, and in substantially axial alignment with the chamber 5, is a duct 9 conforming in Width to the ductsV 3' and 4 and having a ow 'channel Ill through which melted chocolate or the like is discharged between the streams of 35 tcream 6 and 1. The Walls Il and I2 of the duct `9 are preferably provided with suitable heating elements, such as electrical resistance coils VI?, and I4 to prevent congealing of the chocolate while it'is being introduced through o the duct 9. The duct 9 is preferably removably connected with the housing for cleaning purposes,- and is insulated therefrom to retard conduction` .of heat to the cream ducts 6 and 1. Formed in the` bottom of the duct 9,,and'ex- 45 tending across the width of the channel (i0, is a sexies of ports i5 through which the chocolate is discharged under pressure in divided streams for flow through an expansion space I6 that isl formed between the converging streams of cream, lo as clearly shown in Fig. -1. I

The volumetric dow of the respective streams ofchocolate is controlled by a slidevalve i1, having a series of ports I8 adapted to adjustably register with the ports I5 upon selective Ig@4 streams of' chocolate, upon the wall or other .metal parts of the apparatus until they have become thoroughly' congealed and have substantially assumed the temperature of the streams of frozen cream.

During congealing of the streams of chocolate,

they are completely shattered incidental to the shock of contact with the cream so that the chocolate is broken into a multitude of substantially flat, flake-like particles as indicated at I9. These particles are carried between the united streams of cream progressively with movement thereof through the chamber 5, and are brought by the.progressive movement of the cream into Contact with a mixing device 2li that is located in the lower portion of the chamber 5.

The mixing device is shown as including spaced disks 2i and 22, connected by a circular series of rods 23 arranged about the axis of an actuating shaft 2t on which the disks are mounted, as best shown in Fig. 2. The shaft Nhas its ends journaled in suitable bearings 25 and 2li in the opposite walls of the chamber, and has a projecting end 21 adapted for connection with any suitable actuator (not shown), to effect rotation oi' the mixer. Therods 23 are moved through the united streams of cream, effecting mixture and dispersion of the formed particles throughout the body of the cream so that when it is discharged from the mixing chamber the chocolate particles are uniformly dispersed within the mass of the cream. 'Ihe cream is then discharged from the housingn 2, through a duct 2% leading to any suitable packing mechanism (not shown).

In carrying out the present invention, it is necessary that the melted chocolate be kept in liquid state until it is contacted with the streams of cream 6 and l, to be carried thereby into the mixing device. The space 4I@ is, therefore,- im- -portant as it prevents contact of the frozen cream with` the chocolate inlet and facilitates entrance of the chocolate between the streams of frozen cream. It is alsoimportant.that dispersion or distribution .of the chocolate should not be ei?-A fected until it has beencongeaied and completely shattered to form the individual particles and for this reason the mixing device is located substantially belowthe chocolate inlet.

In the form of the invention just described, the introduction of the chocolate and formation of the particles, including dispersion thereof, is -car-- ried out under pressure incidental to continuous movement ofthe streams of cream from the freezers, but in rthe form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the streams of cream are discharged through ducts 29 and 30, opening respectively into the side and top of avvesselforming an expansion chamber 3l wherein the pressure is relieved. The ducts 29 and 35 are arranged in such angular relation to each other that the Y streams of cream 32 and 33 converge and move together in one united stream for flow downlthe side 34 of the vessel which carries/the duct 29. Carried by the vessel, above the pointof convergence of the streams of cream. is a hopper 35, carrying a body of melted chocolate or the like 36 which-is discharged through a throat 31. in individual streams, substantially in the same man-ner as disclosed in the preferred form of the invention. In this form the streams of chocolate drop aiaaeea by gravity into contact with the converging streams of cream, and become congealed and. shattered incidental to shock of the cold streams priorgto mixture of the shattered particles. In this form the invention, it is necessary to reestablish pressure of the united streams to effect their continuous movement out of the expansion chamber 3l, and this is effected by a rotor 38 having blades 39 for engaging the cream and moving it into a mixing chamber'l, depending/from the expansion chamber 3l. The mixing chamber Ml includes a mixing device ill, similar to that described in the irst form of the invention, to effect mixture of the shattered particles with the cream and to eifect continuous discharge of the cream through a discharge duct t2.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4, the vessel forms a mixing chamber 43 of substantially cylindrical shape and has a coneshaped bottom 4t carrying an axial discharge duct 45. Rotatably mounted in the cylindrical chamber 43' is a substantially cone-shaped rotor 46 that is carried on a shaft 4l, which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 48 carried by the upper Wall of the mixing chamber t3. The shaft is driven by a suitable pulley 'i9 operable by a belt 50, which is operated by any suitable actuator A(not shown). The base of the cone rotor ter-s ininates short of the conical bottom 44 -to pro- 1 vide an annular outlet 5i for the cream. In this form of the invention a stream oi cream is introduced through a nozzle 52, discharging sub-Ll stantially tangentially with the apex of the cone rotor so that it ows downwardly over the sides of the cone and through the annular outlet 5l. The chocolate is introduced through a duct 53 having a discharge nozzle located adjacent the apex of the cone rotor to discharge a stream of liquid chocolate onto the cream to be carried on the surface thereof while it is being moved toward the outlet 5|. The chocolate,- upon contacting the surface of the cream, becomes congealed and shattered as in the instances above described, and the mixture is eected by movement of the cream over the base of the cone rotor and through the outlet 5| where it is directed by the cone bottom to the discharge duct 45. This tortuous movement of the cream effects complete dispersion of the chocolate particles so that they are uniformly distributed throughout the body oi' cream when it is discharged through the duct 45. 'Ihe form oi" apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5 includes a cylindrical vessel Sli, having a corne-y like bottom 55 connected with a delivery duct 56.' 'I'he vcontainer 54 is entirely closed and a pres- Sure is maintained therein'by introduction of a gaseous medium through a pipe 57 opening into the top of the container. The pressure is maintained constant by means of a regulating valve 58 which is set to maintain a sufcient pressure to force discharge o f cream through the outlet duct 56 and to maintain space Within the housing. 'Ihe cream is admitted through a hollow, ring-like nozzle 59 that is positioned concentrically within the Vessel and which is connected with \a duct 60 having tangential discharge into the ring. The inner periphery of the ring is provided with a series of inclined ports 6I through which the cream is extruded in a plurality ofv -having perforations located above the ejected ribbons to distribute the chocolate thereon for effecting solidication and shattering of the solidals ied streams or drops incidental toshock as in the other forms of the invention. The chocolate i is delivered' to the nozzle through a pipe 63 under the conductors 65 and 66. a

Fig. 7 shows la diagrammatic View depicting solidication. and shattering of the solidified streams of chocolate by contact with a stream of ice-cream.

Fig. 8 shows a section through a body of icecream, depicting the uniform distribution of `the chocolate particles. i

By mixing the particles of shattered chocolate with the'cream continuously with its movement toward the packaging apparatus, I am enabled to assure uniform distribution with a minimum of cream agitation and substantially without attrition or breaking up of the chocolate particles.

Since the particles of chocolate are not materially reduced incidental-to mixing there are no nne particles tending to discolor the cream or to cause rough texture. 'Ihe ultimate product, in the case of vanilla and similar creams, retains its clear c'olor and texture. The cream is also free, of lumps and large particles of chocolate that may be disagreeable to the taste. The chocolate particles are all of thin, aky character, and are readily melted upon melting of the cream when consumed. p

Fromthe foregoing it is apparent that I have providedan improvedapparatus and process for introducing iiavoring ingredients into frozen cream, particularly those of chocolate and similar materials which are capable of maintaining their identity when dispersed in the frozen cream. It is 4also obvious that by introduction of the chocolate in relatively small streams, and maintaining the chocolate in contact withthe cream until it has been shattered, no large lumps of chocolate are formed which must .later be reduced incidental to mixing of the particles with the cream. The chocolate lparticles thus substantially retain'their original identity and shape which they assume incidental to shattering when contacted with the@ frozen streams of cream.

What I claimand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

"1. 'Ihe method ofint'roducing a iiavoringlin-V gredient into a partially frozen comestible in-y cluding, forming thevcomestible `into* separatelyV moving streams to maintain space therebetween, maintaining the streams under gaseous pressure at the place of separation, effecting convergence of said streams, introducing the iiavoringingredients through said space and between said streams substantially at the time and place of said convergence and while 'under said gaseous pressure, and dispersing the avoring ingredient in individual particles throughout the body of the` frozen comestible after `convergence of said streams. y

2. The method of introducing chocolate into ice-cream in plastic state, including discharging the ice-cream from the place of freezing in a continuous stream, melting the chocolat'e, owing the melted chocolate onto the streamof icecream to effect shattering of, said chocolate into f individual particles, carrying said* chocolate onthe stream until the shattering is substantially complete, and mixing the'particles uniformly vthe body of `said stream.

frozen ice-cream under pressure from the lplace of freezing in separate ribbon-like streams to maintain a space therebetween, bringing said streams into convergence to effect union of said streams, melting the chocolate, owing the 'melted chocolate throughsaid space-between said streams at the place of union,`carryi`ng said chocolate between said streams until the chocolate has congealed, and mixing the chocolate with said united streams', y

4. The method of introducing a fiavoring ingredient into a partially frozen comestible including, moving the comestible under pressure into a zone for introducing the iiavoring ingredient, introducing a gaseous pressure into said zone to retard set of the comestible and maintain a gas-iilled space in said zone, introducing the flavoring ingredient into said zone and in contact with the frozen comestible, and effecting mixture of said ingredient into the comestible while the comestible is maintained plastic by said pressure. 'I'he method oi' introducing chocolate into 1ce-cream while in plastic state including moving the ice-cream in a continuous stream from the place 'of freezing in separate ribbon-like streams to a zone for introducing the chocolate, bringing the streams together to effect union of said streams at said zone, maintaining a gas filled space in said zone at the union of said streams.

melting the chocolate, discharging the melted chocolate into the space, and carrying the chocolate between said streams until the chocolate has congealed.

6. The method of introducing a flavoring ingredient into a frozen comestible including, forming the comestible into separately moving streams, maintaining said streams under pressure to sus.- tain plasticity of said comestible, effecting union of said streams, introducing a gas under pressure to maintain a gas filled spaceahead of the uni'on point of said streams, introducing a fiavoring ingredient into said gas filled space forJ entrance between said streams substantially at the time and place of said union, and dispersing said flavoring ingredient uniformly in the body of said united streams.

7. ,The method of introducing a congealable avoring ingredient into a frozen comestible including, forming the comestible into separately shattered particles of said iiavoring ingredient and with thestream of comestible.

8. The method of introducing chocolate into ice-cream including, discharging the ice-cream under pressure from the place of freezing in a ribbon-like stream into a gas iilled space while maintaining said'pressure, melting the chocolate, and flowing the melted chocolate through said space onto'said stream toeffect congealing and shattering of the chocolate incidental to the chilling of the chocolate by said stream.

9. The method of introducing chocolate into ice-cream including, @ischen-ging the ice-cream space and between scid streams to effect conunder pressure from the place of frmng in gealing and shattering of 'the checolte meiseparate ribbon-like streams, bringing said dental to the chilling of the chocolate by said streams'while under pressure into convergence streams. within a gas filled spe e, melting the chocolate, and flowing the melted chocolate wough said 

